It is no secret that motorcyclists are demanding more from their bikes these days. With this desire for more versatile motorcycles, manufacturers have responded by producing a wide selection of more versatile motorcycles. But, versatility means different things to different people.
To some, modern ADVs are the most versatile of machines; to others, tourers have more to offer. But for those who are after a little more fun on a canyon road, a naked bike might be the best solution. Each manufacturer makes several naked bikes, and it is fair to say we are really spoiled for choice. One middleweight Italian bike just offers a little something extra.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Aprilia. Whereas, the opinions are our own.
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The Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory Nails The Sweet Spot Between Playful, Predictable, And Practical
MSRP: $11,499
Aprilia started with the RS660 sports bike in 2020, but the naked Tuono followed shortly after and has been with us for five years. The latest Tuono 660 Factory came out last year and offers an uprated suspension, which well and truly justifies the extra outlay. However, saying yes to this still means saying no to some incredible alternatives.
Purely based on which class the Aprilia belongs to, we should be comparing it to the CB750 Hornet. But the bigger CB1000 Hornet SP is cheaper. In many ways, it is a very different motorcycle in the sense that its uprated rear suspension simply papers over an otherwise budget-friendly steel twin-spar chassis. Even so, it has a superbike engine, and it is understandable that to some buyers, that is going to be more important than chassis performance.
Kawasaki offers the Z900SE. It also has an uprated rear suspension, around 20 more horsepower, and a highly effective steel trellis chassis. Both these Japanese bikes are heavier, though. The only bike that really comes close in terms of weight is the KTM 990 Duke. Pricing for the base model Duke is yet to be announced, but it should be right in line with the Aprilia, considering the fact that the Duke 990 R costs just over $13k.
The Tuono 660 Factory Punches Above Its Weight
Power: 105 Horsepower
Once under the watchful eye of the Piaggio Group, Aprilia has gone from strength to strength as a brand. In the past, engines were almost always outsourced, especially for the bigger bikes, but this twin was developed in-house. Like most middleweight offerings, it was always destined to be a multi-platform lump, but it truly excels here in the naked bike thanks to its strong midrange, which helps deliver impressive real-world performance.
A Reliable Italian Twin
The engine design follows the same principles as the V4, and even looks a little like it was simply cut in half from some angles. The RS 660 was off to an inauspicious start to life, with a few engines failing within the first year. All these kinks have long since been worked out, and since that wobble has proven to be mechanically reliable. For its size, this lump packs an impressive 105 horsepower. Even though it gets outgunned by some of the larger displacement middleweights, it more than makes up for that thanks to its “added lightness.”
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The Tuono 660 Factory Has All The Bells And Whistles
The Tuono 660 might be a middleweight, but it is an expensive middleweight. As such, it comes with a host of great high-end tech features, including lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, ride modes, a quickshifter, and cruise control. This is a genuinely feature-rich naked bike, and Aprilia’s a-PRC electronics suite is one of the best in the business. Unlike some of the more affordable bikes, which have this tech, this was a motorcycle that was always designed to come with these features, and everything has been painstakingly dialed in to get the most out of the engine and chassis.
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Performance Meets Practicality
The sporty aluminum twin-spar chassis is complemented by a fully adjustable Öhlins suspension, both front and rear. Unlike the Japanese bikes, which offer Öhlins shocks at the rear, Aprilia has gone the extra mile here to ensure riders who want to use it on track will not be disappointed. No matter your weight and riding style, you will be able to dial in this high-end suspension. With a wet weight of just 399 pounds, it has one of the best power-to-weight ratios in its class.
Out of all the bikes currently on the market, this is the one where you will really be paying more for the chassis as opposed to the engine. While it is an expensive middleweight, it justifies its price with consummate ease, especially when compared to its direct middleweight competitors. While it certainly gives up a few horses, none of those bikes will live with it out on track, or a decent stretch of canyon road. Admittedly, it won’t be for everyone, though.
For some riders, versatility might mean something different, but for those looking for a bike that balances performance and practicality, there are very few better options. It is light, reliable, and comfortable enough to get on and use as a commuter throughout the week, then dynamic enough to put a smile on anyone’s face over the weekend – given the right road conditions.
If you prefer to take it to the track, it offers you a razor-sharp chassis and that high-end suspension, which makes it easy to dial in your weight and riding style. Add to that a sophisticated electronics package that adds an extra safety net just in case you push past your limit. The one thing we can say for sure is that you will find your limit before you find its limit.
Chassis Specifications
|
Chassis |
Twin-spar aluminum |
|
Front Suspension |
43 mm Öhlins USD fork, fully adjustable (4.3-in travel) |
|
Rear Suspension |
Öhlins monoshock, fully adjustable (5.1-in travel) |
|
Weight |
399 lbs |